Slovenian Girl

A 23 year old Slovenian girl, originally from a small town there but now studying at the university in the capital of Ljubljana, supplements her life as a student with stints as a prostitute (to show how distasteful her job is, the filmmakers have all her clients to be fat and/or old). One of them is a famous politician, and when he dies of a heart attack when he was in a hotel room with her, she flees not before telling the police. She is soon searched by the authorities and by the news media as the mysterious Slovenian Girl. She is also on the run from two sleazy, violent pimps, who want her to work for them instead of independently. A former boyfriend is stalking her also, and her mother back in her hometown doesn't look too happy when she shows up for a visit. Only her rock musician father and a female friend (who are obviously ignorant of her side job) are there supporting her. And all of the time she's having money problems, including coming with money to pay for a loan she incurred in to buy an apartment.

To me the movie works best as a showcase of the general aimlessness of many young people today, especially in the developed world. Without any spiritual or political belief, many young people today seem to fall into nihilism. The main actress is pretty, but it seems to me to be way too surly to be a prostitute. Shouldn't she at least feign she is a sweet girl in front of her clients (this is not a criticism of her acting, she clearly has been told to play her that way by the filmmakers). Alas, this surliness of her makes the audience not care too much of what happens to her. Still, this is an interesting, well made film, though not very emotionally involving.

This film started off with a strong and exciting plot. The tension between Alexandra, her friends and Greg piqued my interest in each character's development, and the horrifically realistic scene with the pimps had me on edge and biting my nails. These were two things that were done especially well. But soon after that, the plot and character development began to degrade, as nothing but minute details occurred from then on - none of which had any substantial effects on Alexandra's character or emotion. Many pressing aspects of the plot were left unfinished in this movie - from the "tumor" idea to her relationship with her mother; to the whole deal with the pimps; to her ambitions after the exam. There is also no real resolution with her father, Vesna or her mother. I felt like the middle and end of this film turned into nothing more than unnecessary scenes of her riding the train back and forth between her home and the city. Not to mention, Alexandra has no true inner desire - she seeks neither love nor a deeper relationship with her family and friends. This idea of living in her nice apartment overlooking a highway being the sole reason she sells herself is rather unsettling, because honestly, she shows little attachment to the place except when she's showing it off to her friends. Perhaps a slightly more compelling ambition would have made me like her character better. Overall, like another reviewer said, this film is very nihilistic. The lack of emotion and character change (besides the balcony scene) leave for a bland, repetitive and static storyline. I feel like if the film had continued its momentum from the first section of the movie, it would have been a gripping and worthwhile film.

It's Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. Aleksandra/Sasha is from a small town studying English. She's also working as a prostitute. Her customer has a heart-attack after taking Viagra. She leaves after taking his money and calling the front desk. The man dies. Her friend Vesna is shocked that she bought a flat. Her father reads about the dead man in the newspaper and the "Slovenian Girl" who was with him. The mystery becomes a media sensation and two thugs threaten her to work for them. She escapes but she is facing mounting mortgage payments.

The two thugs are scary and that section is thrilling. It's a harrowing escape. One expects the thrills to continue but it turns into something else. Sasha's lies and manipulations continue. She shows herself not solely a victim but she is also constantly being victimized. It's a compelling character. It would be great to have a more definitive ending instead of a fade-to-black. There is something left unsaid and unexplored.

Slovenian Girl (original title: Slovenka, alternate title: A Call Girl) will give you many chills, but it's not a suspense. It just presents the facts. It's not always pretty, it never gets dirty, it has its good sides, some bad too... neutral seems to be the theme.

You'll see her origins, her work, her life, all in a quiet voice. Drama will not become action, pain will not be torment. However, being used to Hollywood, you can expect to be gripping your chair a bit, because all the trappings are there, just not that pre-chewed scenario that would lead you to jump out of your seat.

I can only pull a few negative points: the colors are a bit off, the camera work very simple, and the story a bit sombre. My guess is it's low budget movie that was able to pull off a great performance.

If you don't mind reading subtitles, go for it.

Alexandra is a college student trying to make ends meet for her expensive apartment by becoming a call girl. She is attractive, but has a sullen personality that makes you wonder if she finds anything in her world interesting. And as the film progresses she manipulates others, including her father, through her constant scheming, and lying.

Unfortunately she eventually turns a trick with the wrong guy and while she manages to slip away from him, his presence remains throughout the film. Despite not liking Alexandra, I found I wanted her to reform, love her father and escape all that set her on the wrong path. Better than I thought for a low budget eastern European movie.